In this episode of Ghostly, we look at Charleston, South Carolina to explore the dark legend of John and Lavinia Fisher, the infamous owners of the Six Mile Wayfarer House. Often described as America’s first female serial killer, Lavinia Fisher has become one of the most notorious figures in American ghost lore.

But how much of her story is true… and how much has been shaped by legend?

After their arrest for highway robbery in 1819, John and Lavinia Fisher were imprisoned in Charleston’s Old City Jail and executed in 1820. Over the years, stories about their crimes — and their restless spirits — have grown into one of Charleston’s most famous hauntings.

Today, visitors claim Lavinia Fisher still roams the halls of the Old City Jail, and her presence may also linger along the lonely road where the Six Mile Wayfarer House once stood.

The Six Mile Wayfarer House was an inn located just outside Charleston along a major road used by travelers entering the city. According to local legend, John and Lavinia Fisher ran the inn and secretly worked with a gang of highway robbers.

The story goes that Lavinia would charm travelers into staying the night and offer them tea. After they went to sleep, the victims were supposedly murdered and robbed.

However, historians have questioned parts of this legend. Some research suggests the Fishers were convicted only of highway robbery, not murder, and the number of bodies supposedly found near the inn may have been exaggerated over time.

Regardless of the historical debate, the story of the Fisher couple quickly became part of Charleston folklore.

On February 18, 1820, John and Lavinia Fisher were publicly executed outside Charleston.

Legend says that as Lavinia stood on the gallows she defiantly told the crowd:

“If you have a message you want to send to hell, give it to me, and I’ll carry it.”

Whether these were her exact words or not, the dramatic quote helped cement her reputation as one of Charleston’s most infamous figures.

Charleston’s Old City Jail operated from 1802 to 1939 and housed criminals, pirates, and prisoners awaiting execution. With such a violent history, it has become widely known as one of the most haunted buildings in South Carolina.

Among the many reported spirits, Lavinia Fisher is said to be the most frequently encountered.

Reported paranormal activity includes:

Some investigators have even claimed that when asking spirits questions inside the jail, a voice responded with the word “devil”, echoing Lavinia’s legendary final statement.

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Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers

“Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo

“Time for a Debate” theme by Gail Gallagher gailgallaghermusic.com

Sources

https://www.tamedwild.com/a/blog/ghost-stories-the-six-mile-inn

https://luxurysimplifiedretreats.com/a-haunting-in-charleston-the-legend-of-lavinia-fisher/

https://fairweatherlewis.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/the-killer-innkeepers-of-six-mile-house/

https://nightlyspirits.com/a-charleston-ghost-story-the-ghost-of-lavinia-fisher/

https://hauntedus.com/south-carolina/old-charleston-jail-haunted

https://www.hauntedrooms.com/south-carolina/haunted-places/old-charleston-jail

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/sc-laviniafisher/

https://www.murderbygaslight.com/2010/10/legend-of-lavinia-fisher.html

https://www.southerngothicmedia.com/lavinia-fisher

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavinia_Fisher